Combination roll and attaching device for ironer rolls



July 24, 1962 J. D. WILLINGHAM, JR 3,045,323

COMBINATION ROLL AND ATTACHING DEVICE FOR IRONER ROLLS Filed Feb. 8,1960 INVENTOR.

JOHN D WlLLlNGHAM, JR.

ATTORNEY with This invention relates to flat work ironers and is moreparticularly concerned with a combination roll and attaching device forremovably securing a lead cloth to the periphery of the roll attached tothe periphery of a.flat work ironer roll.

In the past, many and varied arrangements have been suggested forattaching the lead cloth of a pad assembly to the periphery of a flatwork ironer roll. Probably the most conventional method of affixing thelead cloth to the periphery of the roll is to glue the end of the leadcloth in place on the periphery. Of course, this is a time consumingoperation since the old pad assembly must be removed and the peripheryof the roll cleaned. Also the work must be accomplished when the machineis shut down. Moreover, glue is messy and sometimes the adbesive bondbreaks down during service. More recently, clipper laces have beenemployed for this purpose. The clipper lacing arrangement includes. ametal plate permanently riveted or bolted in place on the periphery ofthe roll and provided with clipper laces along one edge thereof.Corresponding clipper laces must be provided along the end of the leadcloth so that when intermeshed with the clipper laces of the metalplate, a steel rod may be passed between the two to lock the respectiveclipper laces together. Once the plate carrying the clipper laces hasbeen installed on the roll, it is difficult to remove. Further, theprovision of clipper laces along the end of the lead cloth is expensiveto manufacture and ship. Other methods of attachment include outwardlyextending hooks which are bent with each new installation. US. PatentNo. 2,663,974 discloses a hook type device. Such methods, however,usually include the permanent securement of a metal plate along theperiphery of the roll and involve the bending of metal parts when a newroll is attached.

Contrary to prior art beliefs and practices, I have devised acombination roll and attaching device which may be readily removed fromthe roll when it is desired to change lead cloths or pads. This deviceincludes a metal plate and a plurality of tines or prongs at spacedintervals along the metal plate. Holes or suitable apertures areprovided in the roll to correspond to these tines. Usually, it isdesirable to provide oversized holes or apertures in the periphery ofthe roll so that a relatively loose fit is provided when the metal plateis placed over the roll and the tines project into their correspondingholes. In some instances, it may be found desirable to provide points onthe ends of the tines so that the tines may more readily pierce the endof the cloth. In some instances, it may also be desirable to providebolts to hold down the metal plate on the roll. 7

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide acombination roll and attaching device for removably mounting the end ofa lead cloth in place on the roll of the flat work ironer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination rolland attaching device which will afiiX substantially any known type leadcloth to the periphery of the roll.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination rolland attaching device for a flat work ironer which is inexpensive tomanufacture, durable in structure and efiicient in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide tet a combinationroll and attaching device which requires no mating parts on the covercloth and permits such a cloth to be readily removed and reversed,thereby extending its useful life.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachingdevice for securing a cloth to the periphery of a roll, the installationof which does not materially change the surface of the roll and hencedoes not prevent other methods from being subsequently used forattaching a cloth on the same roll.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination rolland attaching device which may be readily assembled to provide apositive means for securing the lead cloth to the roll of a flat workironer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combinationattaching device and a roll for a flat work ironer which may be readilyassembled and disassembled so that the lead cloth of a pad may bereadily installed or removed from the roll in an easy and efficientmanner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combinationattaching device and roll for a flat work ironer which will efiicientlyand firmly grasp and hold the end of a lead cloth of a pad and yetpermit suflicient adjustment of the lead cloth after installation sothat the lead cloth maybe made to track around the periphery of the rollaccurately.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters ofreference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the combination flat work ironer roll andattaching device of the present invention, the lead cloth being shown inbroken lines.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the attaching device of FIG.1, the device being in an inverted position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of the combinationshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of theattaching device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 showing another modified form ofattaching device being secured to the roll.

Referring now in detail-to the embodiments chosen for purpose ofillustration of the present invention, it being understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the exact structure disclosed in theaccompanying drawings, numeral It) denotes a conventional roll of a flatwork ironer, the roll ill being supported by its usual shaft 11 and endplates 12. According to the present invention, a plurality of radiallyextending, evenly spaced holes or apertures 13 are provided in theperiphery of roll 10. The holes or apertures 13 are preferably alignedwith each other in an axial direction across the entire periphery ofroll 10. It will be understood, however, that these holes 13 may bestaggered to a certain extent if desired and may be unevenly spacedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

The novel attaching device of the present invention is denoted generallyby numeral 2t) and includes a thin metal plate 21 having a length,approximately equal to the width of roll it], and a relatively narrowwidth. The metal plate 21 is preferably arched or arcuate in atransverse direction to provide a concaved lower surface which iscomplementary with the outer periphery of roll 10 and a convexed uppersurface. The plate 21 is also provided 3 with a straight leading edge 22and a straight trailing edge 23 which are essentially parallel. Theupper surface of the plate 21 is convexed so that when the plate isplaced in; a; clamping position against the roll 10, it does notmateriallydistort the even periphery of the roll.

Aligned longitudinally and projecting radially inwardly from the centralportion of the inner surface of plate 21- are a plurality of evenlyspaced, cylindrical tines or prongs 24. The tines 24 may be welded orbolted in place or. may be atfixed' in any other suitable manner. Thelength of tines 24 is preferably about equal to the thickness of thewallof roll '10; however, it will be understood that substantially anylength tine 24 may be provided, if v desired. The end of the tine asseen in FIGS. 2 and 3 isflat; however, as seenin FIG. 6, tines, such astines 124, may be substituted for the tines 24. It will be observed inFIG, 6 that the tines 124 are provided with pointed ends 125. The tines24, or 124, are preferably of a diameter less than the diameter of theholes or apertures 13 so that each tine 24.0r 124 may be looselyreceived within its.oversize hole or aperture 13;

It will be observed that the spacing and arrangement of tines.24 or 124corresponds to the spacing and arrangement of holes 13. Thus, when theattaching device is brought into registry with the periphery of roll 10,the tines 24 or 124 project into holes 13 respectively.

To hold the plate 21 in place on the periphery of roll 10, I haveprovided a plurality of bolts 26 which pass through appropriateapertures 27 in plate 21 and into holes 28 in the periphery of roll 10.The bolts 26 are provided with external threads which threadedly engageinternal threads in holes 28.

In the modification shown in FIG. 7, it will be seen that the roll 10'is provided with a plurality of attaching devices 20' held in place inend to end abutting relationship on the periphery by bolts 26'. In theparticular embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the inner end of plate 21' abutsagainst the inner end of the other plate 21 of the other attachingdevice 20 so as to provide the junction denoted by numeral 29. It Willalso be observed that only two bolts 26' are necessary to hold one ofthe attaching devices in place on the roll inend to end abuttingrelationship with respect to the-other ataching device 20'. In theattaching device of FIG. 1, there is provided a central bolt26 and twoend bolts adjacent the opposite endsof the attaching device 20. Thefunction ofthe bolts 26,

26f is simply to hold the attaching device in place on roll 10 or 10.-Thus, the bolts 26, 26' may be eliminated if desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plate 21 isformed of a sheet of metal A inch thick, 3 inches wide and 100, 110 or120 inches long, depending onthe length of the roll. The tines 24 arestuds inch in diameter and /1 inch long. Preferably the attaching deviceis formed of a non-corrosive metal or galvanized to prevent rusting.Bolts 26 and 26' are large head inch bolts formed of non-corrosivematerial. The holes or apertures 13 are /2 inch in diameter. The spacingbetween the tines 24 is 3 inches, hence the spacing of the holes orapertures is 3 inches.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the present deviceshould be apparent. When it is desired to install a pad on a roll, suchas roll or 10', the attaching device 20or 20 is removed by firstremoving bolts 26 or 26 and then lifting the plate 21. Next, the end ofthe lead cloth is placed over all of the apertures 13 and the attachingdevice 20 placed over the lead cloth with the tines 24 aligned with theholes 13. Next, pressure is exerted against the upper surface of plate21 such as to cause the tines 24 to pierce the fabric of the lead clothor 30'- and enter the apertures or holes 13. In this operation, thetines 24 or 124 and holes 13 cooperate as punches and dies to shear orpunch out the fabric.

Next, the bolts 26 are passed through holes 27 and into holes 28. Byrotating the bolts 26, they are tightened 4 within the holes 28 so as toretain the plate 21 in place on roll 10. It will be observed that theholes 27 are in front of the tines 24 and are adjacent the edge 23 ofplate 21. Thus, if the edge of the lead cloth 30 terminates between thetines 24 and hole 27, it is not necessary for thebolts 26 to passthrough the lead cloth 30.

Of course, in some instances it may be found desirable to have the plate21 overlap an intermediate portion of lead cloth 30. In this instance,the bolts 26 must be urged through the fabric of the lead cloth toproject into hole 28.

Next, the lead cloth 30 is wrapped around the roll 10 in conventionalmanner and the remaining portion of the pad is installed in the usualway. If the lead cloth 30 or 30' is out of alignment with the roll 20,it is only necessary to unroll the lead cloth to the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 7 and then exert sufficient tension against the short sideof the lead cloth to cause slight realignment of the lead cloth. Whenthe lead cloth 30 or 30' passes over the plate, such as plate 21, afterbeing wrapped around the roll, it will retain the plate in place,regardless of the action of bolts26. The pointed ends of tines 124'simply facilitate the insertion of the tines through the rear edge ofthe lead cloth 30. With the cloth 30 or 30' wrapped around the roll atleast once, the force exerted against the cloth 30 or 30 will have atendency of tightening it about roll 10 or 10'. The tightening of thecloth 30 or 30' in turn tends to urge the device 20 or 20 downwardlyagainst roll 10 or 10 and thereby increase the clamping force of theplate 21 or 21.

On the other hand, if the cloth 30 or 30 is relatively loose andreceives a sudden jerk, which is transmitted to the attaching device 20or 20, the device will tend to rotate in the oversize holes 13. Thistendency to rotate will urge the edge 22 against the cloth 30 or 30' andthus clamp more firmly the cloth 30 or 30'.

Two clamping actions described above, acting in conjunction with eachother, provide a positive and very firm grip upon the fabric, separateand apart from the gripping action of the tines alone.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations maybe made in theembodiments here disclosed for the purpose of illustratingthe present invention without departing from the scope thereof asdefined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a flat work ironing system of the class wherein a cloth isattached to the periphery of the roll, the combination with said roll ofan attaching device, there being provided along the periphery of saidroll a plurality of aligned, evenly spaced holes, said attaching devicecomprising a thin metal plate having a length about equal to the widthof said roll and a relatively narrow width, said plate being arcuate toprovide a concaved lower surface corresponding to the curvature of theperiphery of said roll and convexed upper surface, said plate beingprovided with parallel front and back edges, a plurality of evenlyspaced, cylindrical, pointed, tines projecting from the inner surface ofsaid plate inwardly through said holes respectively, said tines being soconstructed and arranged as to be freely movable axially into and out ofsaid holes, and means for removably securing said plate to said roll,whereby said tines project through the fabric of said cloth to .retainsaid cloth on said roll, said holes being oversized with respect to saidtines so as to receive said tines loosely.

2. In a flat work ironing system of the class wherein a cloth isattached to the periphery of the roll, the combination with said roll ofan attaching device, there being provided along the periphery of saidroll a plurality of aligned, evenly spaced holes, said attaching devicecomprising a thin metal plate having a length about equal to the widthof said roll and a relatively narrow width, a plurality of tinesprojecting from the inner surface of said plate inwardly through saidholes respectively, said tines being so constructed and arranged as tobe freely movable axially into and out of said holes, and means forremovably securing said plate to said roll, whereby said tines projectthrough the fabric of said cloth to retain said cloth on said roll.

3. In a flat work ironing system of the class wherein a cloth isattached to the periphery of the roll, the combination with said roll ofan attaching device, there being provided along the periphery of saidroll a plurality of aligned, evenly spaced holes, said attaching devicecomprising a thin metal plate extending over said roll, and a pluralityof tines projecting from the inner surface of said plate inwardlythrough and journalled for free axial movement in said holesrespectively.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 wherein said tines are pointed. a

5. In a flat work ironing system of the class wherein a cloth isattached to the periphery of the roll, the combination with said roll ofan attaching device, there being provided along the periphery of saidroll a plurality of aligned, evenly spaced cylindrical holes, saidattaching device comprising a thin metal plate having a length aboutequal to the length of said roll and a relatively narrow width, saidplate being arcuate to provide a concaved lower surface corresponding tothe curvature of the periphery of said roll and a convexed uppersurface, said plate being provided with parallel front and back edges, aplurality of cylindrical tines projecting from the inner surface of saidplate inwardly through said holes respectively said tines beingapproximately the diameter of said holes and provided with points, boltspassing through said plate and into said roll for securing said plate tosaid roll, whereby said tines project through the fabric of said clothto retain said cloth on said roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,771,784 Grupe July 29, 1930 2,085,093 Gauthier June 29, 1937 2,622,000Thompson Dec. 16, 1952 2,663,074 Schultheis Dec. 22, 1953

